Winter biology of Aedes albifasciatus (Diptera: Culicidae) from Cordoba, Argentina.

FAVA, FERNANDO DANIEL; LUDUEÑA ALMEIDA, FRANCISCO FELIPE; ALMIRÓN, WALTER RICARDO; MANFRINI DE BREWER, MIREYA

JOURNAL OF MEDICAL ENTOMOLOGY

Año: 2001 vol. 38 p. 253 - 259

0022-2585

Host-seeking females of Aedes albifasciatus (Macquart) were collected from April to September 1997, kept under semi-natural conditions, and offered sugar solution and blood. Daily survival of females varied from 0.91 to 0.96 with engorged females living longer than sugar fed females. Overall, 43% of engorged females completed a gonotrophic cycle, and 15% of them refed and completed a second cycle. The lifetime of females emerging at the end of summer was longer than those that emerged during winter. Immature development time and the developmental threshold temperature was estimated. Embryo development was recorded during autumn, winter and spring, with a duration of 5-9 d. The developmental threshold for eggs was estimated to be 2.28°C.  Egg mortality varied from 0.51 to 0.74. The development time for larva and pupa was between 16 and 29 d and was significantly correlated with temperature. The developmental threshold for larvae and pupae was estimated to be 4.75°C. A greater proportion of females was obtained when the average temperature was £ 18°C. Larval and pupal mortality was high at temperatures below the developmental threshold. Aedes albifasciatus females remain gonotrophically active during winter in Córdoba (10° C isotherm) and immature development continues.